Golf ball marking apparatus



Feb. 27, 1962 1.. w. MATHIASON ET AL 3,02

GOLF BALL MARKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \l l I '1 40 Q) 2s 24 E 4 i. 95 5 89 l 90 i 87 9| FlG. l.

F INVENTORS LAURITZ w. MATHIASON HARRY J. BIHRLE BY TQM A ORNEY Feb. 27, 1962 L. w. MATHIASON ET AL 3,022,725

GOLF BALL MARKING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 11, 1958 z sheets-sheet 2 FTG. 5.

IVENTORS LAURITZ W. M HIASON HARRY J. BIHRLE ATTORNEY trite This invention relates to an improvement in golf ball marking machines and deals particularly with a simple apparatus for embossing and printing a name or marking insignia upon a golf ball.

in many golf courses where golf balls are frequently lost and are somewhat difiicult to find, it has become common practice to mark the ball with the owners name or initials so that they may be returned to him when located. Various types of devices have been produced for marking the balls. The present device comprises a small apparatus which may operate automatically to print a predetermined number of balls automatically and which is readily adaptable to change so that the indicia being printed may be readily changed in a relatively small time.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a supporting frame into which golf balls are automatically fed one at a time and which supports a type slug engageable with the surface of the ball to emboss the type into the surface of the ball and to print the indicia on the surface of the ball. The carriage is mounted for movement longitudinally of a ball supporting track and the distance between the type slug and the base of the track is proper so that the surface of the ball will be embossed and printed as the type slug moves over the ball. Movement of the type slug over the ball acts to move the ball along the track and at the completion of the marking operation, the ball may roll from the end of the track and leave the marking machine.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel type slug inking device which is in the path of movement of the type as it reciprocates on the support. During movement of the type slug in one direction, the type rolls along the inking roller and urges this inking roller into contact with an ink supply roller which applies a film of ink to the inking roller. During movement of the type slug in the opposite direction, the type again contacts the inking roller but acts to swing the inking roller out of contact with the ink supply roller so as to prevent a reverse movement of the ink supply roller and so that this ink supply roller rotates only in one direction.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of an inking device including an inking roller having a surface of rubber or other resilient material which is engageable with the type on a type slug to apply ink thereto.. Reciprocation of the type slug over the inking roller rotates this inking roller first in one direction and then in another. However, the inking roller is in contact with an ink supply roller which includes an absorbent ring of felt or similar material which is impregnated by the ink. The operation is such that the ink supply roller is driven in only one direction by the inking roller.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that means are provided for automatically supplying one golf ball in position to be marked for each stroke of the marking device. As the type slug moves into inking position, a golf ball is automatically released into the interior of the marking device so that upon the return movement of the type slug, the ball is automatically marked and discharged.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a reciprocable marking device which is engageable with a ball supported upon a track or runway and which acts to roll the ball as it is marked to automatically deliver the ball to the outlet of the appatates atent ice ratus. Thus, the requirement for a rotatable support for the ball during the marking operation is obviated.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus showing the general arrangement of parts.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view through a portion of the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a cross sectional view through the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the lines 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view through the inking mechanism of the apparatus, the position of the section being indicated by the line 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional detail of the ink unit.

The ball marking device is indicated in general by the letter A. The apparatus is preferably mounted upon a base plate 10 which holds the marking device itself and the .drive motor in proper relationship. As indicated in the drawings, the device includes a frame including frame sides 11 and 12 which are supported in parallel spaced relation on the base plate it by means of the outwardly projecting mounting flanges 13 and 14 respectively. A spacing block 15 is mounted between the spaced sides 11 and 12 to substantially fill the space therebetweenf As indicated in the drawings, the block 15 includes a generally horizontal upper surface 16 which is provided with an arcuate groove 17 throughout a portion of its length. One end of the block 15 is tapered in height as indicated at 19 and this portion 19 is provided with an arcuate groove 20 which forms a continuation of the groove 11. The arcuation of the grooves 17 and 20 is substantially equal to the radius of the ball B which is to be marked, and the width of the block 15 is but slightly greater than the diameter of the ball B so that the ball is strictly confined during the marking operation.

The upper ends of the frame sides 11 and 12 are provided with inturned flanges 21 and 22 which form a sup port for a carriage which is indicated in general by the numeral 23. The carriage 23 includes a body block 24 which is provided with opposed grooves 25 and 26 in opposite edges thereof which are designed to accommodate the fianges 21 and 22 and thus to slidably support the carriage. A transverse shaft 27 having a reduced diameter end portion 29 is welded or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the body block 24 with the reduced diameter end 29 projecting laterally of the frame side 12. The reduced diameter shaft portion 29 serves as a wrist pin for supporting a connecting rod bearing 30. The bearing 30 is confined between a pair of washers 31 and held in place by a bolt 32 which extends axially into the shaft portion 29.

With reference now to FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the wrist pin bearing 30 is integrally connected to the end of a connecting rod 33 which has its other end bent at right angles as indicated at 34. A motor 35 is mounted upon the base plate ltl and acts through a gear reduction unit 36 to rotate a driven shaft 37 at a relatively low rate of speed. A crank arm 39 is mounted upon the shaft 37 to rotate therewith. The angularly turned end 34 of the connecting rod 33 extends through the crank arm 39 and is held in place by lock nuts 46 which are sufiiciently loose to permit free rotation of the crank arm 39 about the angulariy turned end 34 of the connecting rod. Thus, rotation of the motor 35 acts through the gear reduction unit 36 to rotate the crank arm 39. The crank arm 39 acts in turn through the connecting rod 34 to reciprocate the carriage 23 throughout the length of the frame of the marking unit.

As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGURE 4 of the drawlugs, 21 pair of angular clamping plates 41 and 42 are connected to the undersurface of the body block 24 of the carriage by means of bolts 43 and 44 respectively. A T-shaped type support 45 is detachably supported by the clamping plates 41 and 42. A type slug 46 is secured to the undersurface of the F -shaped support 45 by bolts 47. The undersurface of the type slug 45 is provided with projecting indicia which is spaced from the base of the track 17 a distance somewhat less than the diameter of the ball B. Thus, as the type slug reciprocates over the ball, it engages the surface and impresses or embosses the type into the surface of the oall.

An inking unit is indicated in general by the numeral 47 and is detachably supported between the frame sides 11 and 12 at the end thereof opposite that'embracing the tapered end 19 of the block 15. The inking unit 47 is supported by a U-shaped supporting plate including a base portion 49 and parallel sides 59 and 51 which are spaced apart a proper distance to fit between the frame sides 11 and 12. A pivot pin 52 having a head 53 at one end extends through the frame sides 11. and 12 and is held in place by a cotter pin 54 or other suitable means. The pivot pin 52 pivotally supports the mounting plate 49 between the frame sides 11 and 12. As is indicated in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, a thumb screw 55 extends through an arcuate slot 56 in the frame side 11, the slot 56 having as its center of arcuation the axis of the pivot pin 52. This arrangement permits the elevation of the inking unit to be adjusted to some extent.

The inking unit 47 includes a hollow shaft 57 which extends through an internally threaded nut 59 on the side 50 of the supporting frame and extends through a slot 60 in the opposite frame side 51. The portion of the shaft between the frame sides 50 and 51 is externally threaded and the end 61 of the shaft 57 which is threaded into the nut 59 is closed. A pair of spaced washers 62 encircle the shaft 57 and a roller 63 of felt or other absorbent material is confined between the washers 62. The washers 62 are held from movement axially of the shaft 57 by means of nuts 64 which permit rotation of the felt roller 63. The portion of the shaft 57 inwardly of the felt roller 63 is provided with angularly spaced apertures 65.

As indicated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the end of the shaft 57 is equipped with a fitting 66 connected to an nk supply tank or bottle which is not illustrated in the drawings but which supplies ink to the interior of the shaft 57 through the fitting 66. A drain cap 67 permits drainage of the line when the device is not in operation.

From the foregoing description, it should be evident that when an ink supply is connected to the shaft 57, ink is permitted to flow through the one or more apertures 65 to be absorbed into the absorbent roller 63. The roller 63 is of proper material to limit the flow of ink so that the surface of the roller is dampened with ink at all times and at the same time, the ink cannot drain through the roller and drop therefrom. The felt roll 63 comprises the ink supply roller. An 111k applying roller 69 is mounted on a parallel axis and is engageable with the ink supply roller 63 to receive a film of ink therefrom. The ink applying roller is usually of resilient material such as rubber or the like and is designed 'to engage the unders'urface of the type slug 45 upon reciprocation of the carriage 23. A

A generally U-shaped bracket 70 is supported upon the base 49 of the ink unit support andis best illustrated in FIGURE 6 of the drawings as including a base portion 71 and upright parallel sides 72 and 73. As indicated in FIGURE 3, a hinge plate 74 is secured to the bracket 79, the hinge plate 74 being hingedly connected to a cooperable hinge plate 75 by meansof a pivot 76. Because of this arrangement, the bracket 70 may pivot to some extent to move the ink applying roller 69 into and out of engagement with the ink supply roller 63. A spacing block 77 is positioned beneath the forward end of the bracket 70 to limit the pivotal movement of the bracket.

A U-shaped yoke 79 is slidably supported between the sides 72 and 73 of the bracket 70. A pivot 38 is vertically slidable in vertical slots 81 and 82 in the sides 72 and 73 of the bracket 70, the pivot extending through the sides of the U-shaped yoke 79 and through the ink applying roller69. A spring 83 is inserted between the base of the yoke 69 and the base 71 of the bracket 70 so as to urge the ink applying roller 69 upwardly. The spring 83 is designed to urge the ink applying roller against the surface of the type slug45 during reciprocation of the carriage 23. i

A ball supply tube 34 extends through the frame side 11 to communicate with the interior thereof. The ball supply tube 34 is connected to a hopper or similar device through which the golf balls B are fed in a continuous series. A slidably supported stop arm 85 is provided with a ball engaging end 86 which extends through a wall of the tube 84 in the path of movement of the golf balls B. The slide arm 85 is slidably supported upon the frame side 11 by a channel shaped support 87. As is perhaps best illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 of the drawings, the arm 85 is provided with a hook shaped projection 8? on its extremity and the channel shaped supporting plate 87 is provided with a similar opposed hook shaped lug or projection 90. A spring 91 is interposed between the projections 89 and 99 to urge the slide arm 85 into' the ball supply tube 84 in the path of movement of golf balls passing therer g The slide arm 85 is L-shaped in form and includes an upwardly projecting extremity 92. A lug 93 is mounted upon the carriage 23 and extends laterally therefrom for engagement with the upturned end 92 of the arm 85. When the carriage 23 reaches the extreme position illustrated in dotted outline in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, the projection 93 engages the arm end 92 and slides the end 86 of the arm 85 out of the ball tube 84, permitting a golf ball to enter the marking device.

The operation of the apparatus may be described as follows. An ink supply is attached to the fitting 66, permitting ink to extend through the hollow shaft 57 and to impregnate the felt roller 63. The motor 35' is then turned on and the crank arm 39 starts its rotation, reciprocating the carriage 23 back and forth upon the top of the frame members 11 and 12, being guided by the inturned flanges 21 and 22. As the carriage 23 moves to the right as viewed in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the type slug 45 engages the ink applying roll 69 causing rotation thereof in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the roller 69 acts through frictional engagement with the ink supply roller 63 to rotate this ink supply roller about its axis. It should be understood, that while the roller 63 is formed of absorbent material, it is still sutficiently rigid to be rotated by frictional contact. As the roller 63 rotates, a film of ink is spread upon the surface of the ink applying roller 69. i

As the carriage 23 moves to its extreme position, the lug 93 strikes the upturned end 92 of the arm 85, retracting the arm and permitting a golf ball B to roll into the interior of the marking device. Continued rotation of the crank arm then tends to move the carriage 23 to the left as viewed in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, again moving the type slug 45 over the surface of the ink applying roller 69. However, during this return movement of the carriage 23, the movement of the type slug pivots the bracket 70 about its hinge pivot 76, thus withdrawing the ink applying roll 69 away from the surface of the ink supply roller 63. A spring 95, best illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, connects the bracket 70 to a fixed portion of the frame and thus tends to hold the rollers 63 and 69 in contact.

Upon sufiicient movement of the carriage 23 to the left, the type slug 45 engages the upper surface of the ball B and embosses the letters into the surface of the ball, simultaneously rotating the ball B about its axis along the track 17. At the completion of the ball marking operation, the type slug 45 has caused the ball B to travel onto the inclined slot and the ball B then rolls down the inclined slot onto a suitable surface or into a suitable receiving receptacle, not illustrated in the drawings.

By having a suitable control upon the motor 35, the motor may be made to operate in cycles or to operate continuously. In preferred form, the motor is controlled by a switch which merely stops the motor when all of the balls have been marked, the apparatus operating continuously during the ball marking operation.

At the completion of each operation, the nuts 43 and 44 may be loosened sufficiently to permit removal of the T-shaped block 45 bearing the type slug 46. A new type slug may be inserted in place of the first one, and the operation again repeated. The type slugs may be formed in any convenient manner and may be saved from time to time for the individual golfers.

It should also be noted that the entire inking unit 47 may be withdrawn at the completion of the operation for cleaning, it being only necessary to remove the pivot pin 52 and the bolt 55 which adjusts the angularity of the unit relative to the frame sides 11 and 12.

In order to assist in locating the ink unit, angle bracket 97 may be supported upon the block 15 to limit the insertion of this unit and to simplify the insertion of the pivot pin 52.

In accordance with the patent statutes, we have described the principles of construction and operation of our improvement in golf ball marking machines, and while we have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, we desire to have it understood that changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of our invention.

We claim:

1. A ball marking device including a frame embodying an elongated horizontal track, a carriage reciprocably supported above said track and parallel thereto, marking indicia supported by said carriage at a fixed distance from the base of said track slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, whereby reciprocation of said carriage over said ball imprints the indicia on said ball and simultaneously moves said ball along said track, a ball supply tube extending transversely of said horizontal track near one end thereof, and means controlled by movement of said carriage for feeding balls one at a time onto said track.

2. A golf ball marking device including a frame, the frame including a pair of frame sides and a track between said sides, said track having a generally horizontal portion, a carriage slidably supported for reciprocation above said track and parallel to the generally horizontal portion thereof, an inking unit including an ink applying roller in the path of movement of said carriage at one end of said track, a type slug supported by said carriage in the path of said ink applying roller, and means on one side of said frame for feeding a golf ball to said track adjoining said one end thereof, means actuated by movement of said carriage to said one end of said track for actuating said feeding means, said type slug being spaced 6 from the base of said track a distance slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball to be marked, whereby reciprocation of said carriage causes engagement of said type slug with said ball to imprint the same.

3. The construction described in claim 2 and in which the other end of said track includes a downwardly inclined portion onto which said ball may roll, reciprocation of said carriage in one direction rolling said ball from the substantially horizontal portion of said track onto the downwardly inclined portion thereof.

The construction described in claim 2 and in which said inking unit includes an ink supply roll in surface contact with said ink applying roll, and bracket means pivotally supported by said ink unit and pivotally supporting said ink applying roll, reciprocation of said type slug and carriage in one direction rotating said ink applying roll against said ink supply roll to pick up ink, reciprocation of said type slug in the other direction, swinging said ink applying roll out of surface contact with said ink supply roll and inking said type.

5. A golf ball marking device including a track, a carriage reciprocably supported parallel to said track, a type slug supported by said carriage and spaced from said track a distance slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, and an ink unit supported at one end of said track and including an ink supply roll, an ink applying roll, a supporting member supporting said ink supply roll, a bracket pivotally connected to said support and pivotally supporting said ink applying roll, means normally urging said ink applying roll into surface contact with said ink supply roll, said bracket supporting said ink applying roll in the path of movement of said type slug upon reciprocation of said carriage, reciprocation of said carriage in one direction urging said ink applying roll against said ink supply roll to rotate the same in unison to pick up ink, reciprocation of the carriage in the opposite direction acting to pivot said ink applying roll and its supporting bracket away from said ink supply roll to apply ink to said type slug.

6. The construction described in claim 5 and including means resiliently supporting said ink applying roll and urging the same into the path of movement of said type slug.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 651,329 Hagen June 5,1900

746,376 Prescott Dec. 8, 1903 1,501,817 Sevigne July 15, 1924 1,551,376 Duchemin Aug. 25, 1925 1,617,879 Swanson Feb. 15, 1927 1,643,605 Howes et a1. Sept. 27, 1927 1,721,965 McGinness July 23, 1929 1,801,877 Pacheo Apr. 21, 1931 1,817,788 Vorbeck Aug. 4, 1931 1,831,868 Karp Nov. 17, 1931 1,863,828 Broman et a1. June 21, 1932 1,974,521 Swenson Sept. 25, 1934 2,319,616 Luehrs May 18, 1943 2,855,845 Feeney Oct. 14, 1958 

